The wave of racist violence taking place across the UK is incredibly distressing. Hope Not Hate have described it as “possibly the most widespread outbreak of far-right violence in the post-war period.”

It is likely not yet over as a ‘hit list’ has been circulated online identifying further targeted areas to be attacked, This has not taken place in a vacuum. Anti-immigrant messaging has become mainstream, being parroted by politicians and the media for years and creating a climate of suspicion and prejudice. We hope that all those responsible for acts of violence, intimidation and terrorism will face swift justice. We also recognise that the conditions that have made their actions possible must be addressed.

At Phoenix Dance Theatre we are committed to pursuing anti-racist practices. We champion the diversity of our city and celebrate all that multiculturalism brings to our culture and our society. We have been heartened by the community response to the riots and will look for ways to support local communities in the coming weeks and months. We are not experts, but we will seek to learn what more we can do to provide positive allyship.

We are grateful to Hope Not Hate for their work to tirelessly expose and oppose far-right extremism and for providing regular briefings on this unfolding situation on their website. Do check them out. If you are local to Leeds, you could also engage with Leeds Stand Up to Racism, linked to the national campaigning coalition Stand Up to Racism. They are organising a unity rally in Wakefield on Saturday 10 August at 12pm as part of a national day of protest to stop the far right.

If you are working in our local community to tackle racism and far-right extremism, thank you, and if you think we could help, please reach out via hello@phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk